Intelligent delivery and acquisition of digital assets

ABSTRACT

Improved techniques and systems for delivery and acquisition of digital assets are disclosed. The techniques and systems are especially suitable and useful for delivering digital assets (e.g., media assets) that are available for acquisition and electronic delivery from online stores to electronic devices. In accordance with one aspect, when a digital asset is acquired form an online store via an electronic device associated with a user, the digital asset can be arranged for delivery to a number of other of electronic devices also associated with the user. It will be appreciated that the digital asset can be delivered and acquired without requiring explicit user input or instruction in accordance with another aspect. Other aspects of the techniques and systems include customization of configuration and user interfaces that are provided to facilitate acquisition of digital assets in a more efficient manner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/253,096, filed Jan. 21, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/815,677, filed Nov. 16, 2017, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/171,253, filed Jun. 28,2011, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/451,057, filed Mar. 9, 2011, entitled “INTELLIGENT DELIVERY ANDACQUISITION OF DIGITAL ASSETS,” the content of which is hereinincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Online stores and online shopping have become increasing more popular inrecent years. Desktop and laptop computers have been used to purchasevarious goods and services from online stores. An online store may allowcustomers, via a network connection to the Internet, to browse, searchand purchase various different items from the online store. Purchaseditems can be delivered by mail or make available for pickup at a storeor another location.

Recently, digital assets (e.g., musical songs, movies, computerapplication programs) have become available for purchase from onlinestores. Moreover, digital assets have become available for deliverydirectly to the device used to purchase them. As such, today, a digitalasset can be purchased from an online store by way of an electronicdevice (e.g., a desktop computer) from a residence and immediatelydelivered to the electronic device used to acquire the digital asset. Inother words, after purchasing a digital asset from an online store viaan electronic device, the digital asset can be “downloaded” by theelectronic device for subsequent use thereon.

However, more recently, the number and variety of electronic deviceswith the ability to access online stores have dramatically increased.Today, a person may own and/or operate several electronic devices withthe ability to access online stores, including a desktop computer, alaptop computer, a pad or tablet computer (e.g., iPad™), a smartphone, amedia player, a gaming device, a television, and so on. In addition, anever increasing number and types of digital assets are becomingavailable at online stores for various electronic devices, including,media, books, application programs, etc. As a result, management ofdelivery of digital assets to electronic devices can pose difficultiesfor users, especially those maintaining collections of various digitalassets on several distinct electronic devices. Hence, there is a needfor improved acquisition and delivery of digital assets.

SUMMARY

Improved techniques and systems for delivery and acquisition of digitalassets are disclosed; The techniques and systems are especially suitableand useful for delivering digital assets (e.g., media assets) that areavailable for acquisition and electronic delivery from online stores toelectronic devices.

In accordance with one aspect, when a digital asset is acquired form anonline store via an electronic device associated with a user, thedigital asset can be arranged for delivery to a number of other ofelectronic devices also associated with the user. It will be appreciatedthat the digital asset can be delivered and acquired without requiringexplicit user input or instruction in accordance with another aspect. Byway of example, an electronic device can be configured to automaticallydownload a digital asset when it receives a notification (e.g., a pushnotification) directly or indirectly via an online store server. Theonline store server can be configured to send the notification to theelectronic device when another electronic device acquires the digitalasset from the online store. Other aspects of the techniques includecustomization of configuration and user interfaces that are provided tofacilitate acquisition of digital assets in a more efficient manner.

The techniques and mechanisms can be implemented in numerous ways,including as a method, system, device, or apparatus (including computerreadable medium or graphical user interface). Several embodiments arediscussed below.

One embodiment pertains to a method for facilitating delivery of adigital asset, via a network, from an online store to one or moreelectronic devices associated with a user. The method can, for example,be used by an online store server to facilitate delivery of a digitalasset to one or more electronic devices. In doing so, the method candetermine whether a digital asset acquired from the online store, by orvia an acquisition device associated with a user, is to be delivered toone or more electronic devices, other than the acquisition device, thatare also associated with the user. The digital asset acquired from theonline store can be arranged for delivery to the one or more electronicdevices associated with the user when the determining determines thatthe digital asset is to be delivered to the one or more electronicdevices.

Another embodiment pertains to a method that can be used by anelectronic device to acquire a digital asset from an online store via anetwork. The method can, for example, operate to obtain an indication ofa digital asset available for acquisition by the electronic deviceassociated with a user. The indication can be a result of the digitalasset being acquired from the online store by an acquisition deviceother than the electronic device, where the acquisition device is alsoassociated with the user. The method can also determine whether the userof the electronic device is authenticated to the online store.Subsequently, the method can determine whether to deliver the digitalasset to the electronic device if the user of the electronic device isauthenticated to the online store. The method can then arrange forelectronic delivery of the digital asset to the electronic device whenthe determining determines that the digital asset is to be delivered tothe electronic device. The arranging for electronic delivery can includedownloading the digital asset over the network to the electronic device.

Yet another embodiment pertains to a method for automatically deliveringa digital asset, via a network, from an online store to one or moreelectronic devices associated with a user. The method can, for example,be used by an online store server. In doing so, initially, it can bedetermined whether a digital asset has been purchased or is to bepurchased from an online store by or via an acquisition deviceassociated with a user. Then, at least partially based automaticdownload data associated with the user, the method can determine whetherto the digital asset is to be delivered via the network to one or moreother electronic devices associated with the user. The method can alsoarrange for delivery of the digital asset to the one or more electronicdevices associated with the user without requiring any user explicitrequest f such from the one or more electronic devices when it isdetermined that the digital asset is to be delivered to the one or moreelectronic devices.

Still another embodiment pertains to an electronic device that includesa display, and one or more processors or processing cores operable todisplay an automatic download configuration window on the display. Itshould be noted that the automatic download configuration window caninclude user-selectable automatic download options for automaticallydownloading one or more digital assets to the electronic device when adigital asset is acquired from an online repository via anotherelectronic device.

Still another embodiment pertains to a non-transitory computer readablemedium that includes at least tangible computer program code storedthereon for facilitating delivery of a digital asset, via a network,from an online store to one or more electronic devices associated with auser. The computer readable medium can, for example, include at least(i) computer program code for determining whether a digital asset,acquired or to be acquired from the online store by or via anacquisition device associated with a user, is to be delivered to one ormore electronic devices other than the acquisition device that are alsoassociated with the user; and (ii) computer program code for arrangingdelivery of the digital asset to the one or more electronic devicesassociated with the user when the computer program code for determiningdetermines that the digital asset is to be delivered to the one or moreelectronic devices.

Yet still another embodiment pertains to a non-transitory computerreadable medium that includes at least executable computer program codetangibly stored thereon for delivering at least one digital asset froman online digital asset store to an electronic device via a network. Thecomputer readable medium can, for example, include: computer programcode for acquiring usage rights to a digital asset from the onlinedigital asset store using an acquisition device, the acquisition devicebeing affiliated with a user account; computer program code fordetermining one or more other electronic devices that are associatedwith the user account; computer program code for obtaining automaticdownload configuration data for each of the one or more other electronicdevices; computer program code for determining whether the digital assetis be delivered to at least one of the one or more other electronicdevices based on the automatic download configuration data correspondingto the respective one or more other electronic devices; and computerprogram code for arranging for automatic delivery of the digital assetto the at least one of the one or more other electronic devices when itis determined that the digital asset is be delivered to at least one ofthe one or more other electronic devices.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, theprinciples of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be readily understood by the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is depicts a block diagram of the digital asset acquisition anddelivery system in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2 depicts a method for facilitating delivery of a digital assetavailable for acquisition from an online store in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 3 depicts a method for acquiring a digital asset available foracquisition from an online store in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4 depicts an automatic download delivery component in accordancewith one embodiment.

FIG. 5 depicts an automatic download delivery component in accordancewith one embodiment.

FIG. 6 depicts a method for facilitating automatic downloading of adigital asset in accordance with another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 depicts a method for facilitating automatic downloading of adigital asset in accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 depicts an automatic download configuration generator inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 9 depicts and exemplary automatic configuration U1 in form of awindow suitable for display on various electronic devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Improved techniques and systems for delivery and acquisition of digitalassets are disclosed. The techniques and systems are especially suitableand useful for delivering digital assets (e.g., media assets) that areavailable for acquisition and electronic delivery from online stores toelectronic devices.

In accordance with one aspect, when a digital asset is acquired form anonline store via an electronic device associated with a user, thedigital asset can be arranged for delivery to a number of other ofelectronic devices also associated with the user. It will be appreciatedthat the digital asset can be delivered and acquired without requiringexplicit user input or instruction in accordance with another aspect. Byway of example, an electronic device can be configured to automaticallydownload a digital asset when it receives a notification (e.g., a pushnotification) directly or indirectly via an online store server. Theonline store server can be configured to send the notification to theelectronic device when another electronic device acquires the digitalasset from the online store. Other aspects of the techniques includecustomization of configuration and user interfaces that are provided tofacilitate acquisition of digital assets in a more efficient manner.

Embodiments are discussed below in greater detail with reference toFIGS. 1-9 . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat the detailed description given herein with respect to these figuresis for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond theselimited embodiments.

FIG. 1 is depicts a block diagram of the digital asset acquisition anddelivery system 100 in accordance with one embodiment. Referring to FIG.1 , the digital asset acquisition and delivery system 100 includes anonline store server 102 (e.g., a digital asset store server 102)providing digital assets to various electronic devices 106, 108 and 110for online acquisition. Digital assets can, for example, include varioustypes of media related items (e.g., musical albums, songs, movies,audio, video, textual content, books) as well as various applicationprograms (“applications”) that can be provided for electronic devices(e.g., productivity products, games, computer applications for computingdevices). It should be noted that the online store server 102 caneffectively host an online store (e.g., a digital asset store that canoffer digital assets). Generally, the online store server 102 canfacilitate searching, browsing and purchasing of digital assets.Referring back to FIG. 1 , the online store server 102 can beeffectively coupled by wire and/or wirelessly to a network 104. Thenetwork 104 can, for example, be a data network, a local area network, awide area network, a global network, public network, a private network,or the Internet. It should be noted that the network 104 can berepresentative of a number of different networks separately owned andoperated.

In any case, the online store server 102 can effectively serve as, orprovide, a delivery system for delivering digital assets via the network104 to other devices including, a portable electronic device 106, aportable computer 108, and a desktop computer 110. These electronicdevices can acquire digital assets via the online store server 102. Itshould be noted that that the each one of the electronic devices 106,108 and 100 can also be connected by wire and/or wirelessly to thenetwork 104. As such, these devices can effectively acquire variousdigital assets from the online store server 102 via the network 104. Byway of example, a user (e.g., a person, an entity, an applicationprogram, a group) can effectively use the portable computer 108 toconnect via the network 104 to the online store server 102 to acquire adigital asset by purchasing the digital asset. Following the purchase,the online store server 102 can facilitate download of the digital assetto the portable computer 108. The digital asset can be stored in theonline store server 102 or a data repository (e.g., a data repositoryserver) 112. As such, downloading of the digital asset can befacilitated by another server (e.g., a data repository server 112) viathe network 104 or another network (not shown). In any case, the digitalasset acquisition and delivery system 100 can facilitate acquisition anddelivery of digital assets via one or more networks (e.g., network 104)to one or more various devices (e.g., portable electronic device 106,portable computer 108 and/or desktop computer 110).

Moreover, the digital asset acquisition and delivery system 100 canfacilitate acquisition and delivery of digital assets in an intelligentmanner among various electronic devices, whereby a digital assetacquired by one electronic device (e.g., portable computer 108) can beeffectively delivered to another electronic device (e.g., electronicdevice 106). Specifically, in accordance with the embodiment depicted inFIG. 1 , an intelligent delivery component 120 can be provided as aseparate component, as a part of the online store server 102, and/or asa part of another entity (e.g., a repository server 112) (not shown). Assuch, the intelligent delivery component 120 can, for example, beprovided as a server or server component as will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art. The intelligent delivery component 120 can beoperable to determine whether a digital asset that has been acquired oris soon to be acquired from the online store server 102 by or via anacquisition device (e.g., portable computer 108) is to be delivered toone or more electronic devices other than the acquisition device (e.g.,electronic devices 106 and 110). As used herein, a digital assetacquired (e.g., purchased, rented, ordered, requested) can refer to adigital asset that has been acquired or that is soon to be acquired.

Typically, the acquisition device and the other one or more otherelectronic devices are associated with the same user (e.g., a number ofelectronic devices owned, operated, and/or registered to a person). Inany case, if the intelligent delivery component 120 determines that thedigital asset is to be delivered to the one or more electronic devicesother than the acquisition device, the intelligent delivery component120 can arrange delivery of the digital asset to the acquisition deviceasset for delivery to one or more electronic devices other than theacquisition device. It should be noted that instead of, or in additionto, the digital asset delivered (or to be delivered) to the acquisitiondevice, the intelligent delivery component 120 can arrange the samedigital asset or another digital asset for delivery to one or moreelectronic devices other than the acquisition device. In other words,the digital asset arranged for delivery need not be identical or limitedto the digital asset acquired by the acquisition device. The anotherdigital asset that can be arranged for delivery can also be availablefor acquisition from the online store can be a similar digital asset, adifferent format of the digital asset, or a different version of thedigital asset). As a result, the digital asset or the another digitalasset can be acquired from the online store 102 and can be delivered toone or more electronic devices other than the acquisition device. Itwill be appreciated that the intelligent acquisition device component122, among other things, can facilitate automatic download of digitalassets available from an online store to one or more electronic devices.By way of example, when a digital asset (e.g., a song) has been acquiredfrom the online store server 102 via the portable computer 108associated with a user, the intelligent delivery component 120 canarrange for automatic download of the same digital asset or one or moreother electronic device, such as the portable electronic device 106,which is also associated with the same user.

It should be noted that an intelligent acquisition component can beprovided for an electronic device to facilitate acquisition of a digitalasset arranged for delivery by the intelligent delivery component 120.Referring to FIG. 1 , an intelligent acquisition device component 122can be provided for the portable electronic device 106. As will bedescribed below in greater detail, the intelligent acquisition component122, among other things, can facilitate automatic download of variousdigital assets to the portable electronic device 106 based on theinformation (or data) provided by the intelligent acquisition component122. The intelligent acquisition device component 122 may also beconfigured to perform additional tasks including, for example,determining whether to download one or more digital assets that havebeen made available to the portable electronic device 106.

Those skilled in the art will readily know that the intelligent deliverycomponent 120 and intelligent acquisition component 122 can, forexample, be provided as software and/or hardware components includingand/or supported by memory, and one or processers or processing cores(e.g., a Central Processing Unit (CPU)).

FIG. 2 depicts a method 200 for facilitating delivery of a digital assetavailable for acquisition from an online store in accordance with oneembodiment. Method 200 can, for example, be used by the intelligentdelivery component 120 depicted in FIG. 1 . As such, method 200 can, forexample, be used by an online store server (e.g., online store server102). Referring to FIG. 2 , it is determined (202) whether a digitalasset, acquired or to be acquired from the online store by or via anacquisition device associated with a user, is to be delivered to one ormore electronic devices (other than the acquisition device) that areassociated with the user. If it is determined (202) that the digitalasset is to be delivered to one or more electronic devices other thanthe acquisition device, the digital asset and/or another digital assetavailable for acquisition from the online store can be arranged fordelivery to the one or more other electronic devices (other than theacquisition device) that are associated with the user. Method 200 canend after the digital asset has been arranged for delivery to the one ormore electronic devices other than the acquisition device.

FIG. 3 depicts a method 300 for acquiring a digital asset available foracquisition from an online store in accordance with one embodiment.Method 300 can, for example, be used by the intelligent acquisitioncomponent 122 depicted in FIG. 1 . As such, method 300 can be used by anelectronic device to acquire digital assets available for acquisitionfrom an online store. Referring to FIG. 3 , initially, it is determined(302) whether an indication of a digital asset being available (orarranged) for acquisition has been obtained. Typically, the digitalasset is available by a device associated with a user.

It should be noted that the indication can be obtained as a result ofthe digital asset (or a similar digital asset) being acquired or aboutto be acquired from the online store via another device associated withthe same user. In other words, the indication can be provided to theelectronic device when a digital asset has been acquired or is to beacquired from the online store by a device other than the electronicdevice. If it is determined (302) that the indication has been received,it can be determined (304) whether to acquire the digital asset madeavailable as a result of acquisition by another electronic device. If itis determined (304) that the digital asset is not to be acquired thedigital asset, method 300 can end. However, the digital asset can beacquired (306) if it is determined (304) to acquire the digital assetbefore method 300 ends.

As noted above, an intelligent delivery component and an intelligentacquisition component, among other things, can facilitate automaticdownload of digital assets available from an online store to one or moredevices. To further elaborate, FIG. 4 depicts an automatic downloaddelivery component 400 in accordance with one embodiment. One or morecomponents of the automatic download delivery system 400 can, forexample, be provided by the intelligent delivery component 120 depictedin FIG. 1 to facilitate automatic download of digital assets availablefrom an online store. As such, the automatic download delivery component400 can, for example, be provided by or for a server device (e.g., anonline store server).

Referring to FIG. 4 , automatic download delivery component 400 canprovide an automatic download configuration and U1 generator and/ormanager (configuration manager) 402 operable to facilitate configuringone or more automatic download parameters, as well as being operable tofacilitate generation of one or more User Interface (UI) components(e.g., dialog windows, configuration windows). In particular,configuration manager 402 can determine and send an electronic devicevarious U1 components for an automatic download option. It will beappreciated that the configuration manager 402 can customize ordetermine a UI component for an electronic device as deemed appropriatefor that particular electronic device. By way of example, if anelectronic device does not have the capability to execute applicationsor use digital books (e.g., does not have a book reading/presentingapplication for presenting digital books) the configuration manager 402may provide a U1 component that does not list applications or digitalbooks as an option but lists other types of digital assets (e.g., music,movies) as an option that can be selected for automatic download to thedevice. Selected digital assets can be automatically downloaded to anelectronic device based on the selected automatic download options whensuch assets are acquired (e.g., purchased) from an online store byanother device also associated with the user. The user can havepreviously provided automatic download options.

A U1 component generated for an electronic device can be sent to theelectronic device by a device communication component 404 or by othermechanisms. In any case, the user of the electronic device that receivesa U1 component can effectively provide a number of automatic downloadoptions by interacting with the U1 component and allowing the options tobe sent back to the configuration manager 402 for processing. Dataincluding the options provided by the user can be stored in an automaticdownload data storage 406, for example, as a part of automatic downloaddata arranged for various devices and/or users associated with suchdevices. The automatic download data storage 206 can be used to storeother information, including device and user registration dataindicative of a number of devices registered by each one of users of anonline store (e.g., devices registered by a person to an account).

It should be noted that an auto download manager 408 can effectivelymanage download processing as well as coordinate operations of variousother components depicted in FIG. 4 . As such, the auto download manager408 can, for example, interact with the configuration manager 402 torequest generation of an automatic download configuration U1, store andobtain data from the automatic download data storage 206, and so on.Generally, download activities can be initiated based on detection of anevent or an activity by the auto download detection component 410. Byway of example, the auto download detection component 410 can detectthat a digital asset has been purchased or is to be purchased via anelectronic device associated with a user. In the example, if this is thefirst purchase made by the user and/or first purchase made via theelectronic device, the configuration manager 402 can be activated togenerate an initial U1 component to be displayed to the electronicdevice used to purchase the asset and/or a number of other electronicdevices that are associated with the user. The initial U1 component can,for example, be a dialog window to inform the user of the availabilityof an auto download option and allow the user to request moreinformation and/or request to be provided with configuration userinterfaces on a single device and/or separately on each one the devicesassociated with the user. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment,an automatic download configuration U1 can be “pushed” to an electronicdevice and can consequently be displayed at a time determined or deemedappropriate by the automatic download delivery component 400.

Typically, after automatic download options have been provided by theuser, one or more digital assets can be arranged for automatic deliveryto one or more electronic devices other than the one used to acquire thedigital asset. By way of example, when purchase of a digital asset froman online store via an acquisition device is detected by the automaticdownload detection component 410, the auto download manager 408 candetermine at least partly based on device, user registration data, andauto download configuration data stored in the auto download datastorage 406, whether the digital asset and/or another digital asset(e.g., a similar digital asset, an additional bonus asset) is to beautomatically downloaded to one or more electronic devices other thanthe acquisition device registered to the user. If so, a contentselection/determination component 414 can determine and/or select thecontent to be automatically downloaded based on one more criteria (e.g.,a device capability, a network parameter). As a result, a digital asset(e.g., a song) purchased by a user from an online store by using oneregistered device may, for example, be arranged for automatic downloadto another device also registered to the same user. The automaticdownload may, for example, occur when the user has effectively allowedor enabled the second device to receive automatic download of songspurchased by one or more other devices registered to the user.

As noted above, download activities can be initiated based on detectionof an event or activity by the auto download detection component 410. Itshould be noted that the download detection component 410 can, forexample, receive an indication of an event from an online store and/oranother entity. Furthermore, automatic download of a digital asset canbe facilitated by a download facilitation component 412 which can, forexample, place the digital asset in a queue for delivery. The queue canbe stored in the auto download storage 406.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that an automatic downloadtoken may also be used to facilitate downloading of digital assets in asecure manner. As such, an automatic download token can, for example, begenerated by the download facilitation component 412 and effectivelyprovided to an electronic device. The automatic download token can besent back by the electronic device and recognized as a valid token bythe download facilitation component 412. An automatic download token maybe valid for a limited time or limited number of automatic downloads.

To further elaborate, FIG. 5 depicts an automatic acquisition component500 in accordance with one embodiment. One or more components of theautomatic acquisition component 500 can, for example, be provided by theintelligent acquisition component 122 depicted in FIG. 1 to facilitateautomatic download of digital assets. As such, the automatic acquisitioncomponent 500 can, for example, be provided by or for an electronicdevice.

Referring to FIG. 5 , a download acquisition manager 502 can effectivelymanage a number of other components of the automatic acquisitioncomponent 500 and coordinate automatic download related operations,activities and/or events. Generally, an indication or notificationrelated to automatic download of a digital asset can be obtained by oneor more components of the automatic acquisition component 500.Typically, the indication or notification is sent directly or indirectlyby an automatic delivery component (e.g., an automatic delivery downloadcomponent 400 depicted in FIG. 4 ). An indication can, for example,pertain to a notification regarding availability of an automaticdownload option, or it may pertain to a particular U1 relating toautomatic download of digital assets to be displayed for a user.Generally, an automatic download configuration and U1 component 504 canperform activities related to setting download configuration andinterfacing with a user. As such, the automatic download configurationand U1 component 504 can, for example, be operable to cause display of aparticular dialog or user configuration window relating to automaticdownload of digital assets. The automatic download configuration and U1component 504 can be operable to determine the U1 components to bedisplayed. However, it may be desirable to allow a server componentassociated with an online store (e.g., automatic download configurationmanager 402) to control at least some aspects of user interfaces,including when to display a U1 and options to be presented to users.This may allow changes to be made more efficiently and easily via acentral entity rather than changing numerous electronic devices. In anycase, a download notification can be received and processed, at leastinitially, by an automatic download notification component 506.Consequently, an indication for availability of a digital asset fordownload can result in automatic download of the digital asset by theautomatic acquisition component 500. More particularly, a downloadfacilitation component 508 can facilitate automatic downloading of adigital asset, for example, based on a Universal Resource Locator (URL)received from a server associated with an online store. Generally, a URLcan specify where an identified resource is available and the mechanismfor retrieving it. As such, a URL is one exemplary mechanism that can beused to facilitate automatic downloading and/or effectively cancelingthe automatic downloading of digital assets.

It should be noted that a download verification component 510 candetermine whether or not to download an available asset, prior toallowing the download facilitation component 512 to facilitate the assetbeing downloaded. Generally, the download verification component 510 candetermine whether the download is appropriate or desired for aparticular user or device. As such, a download verification component510 can, for example, determine: whether a device is currentlyregistered to the user of the acquisition device that effectively causedthe digital asset to be made available for automatic download, whetherthe digital asset available for downloaded is already stored on adevice, whether the digital asset is supported by the device, or whetherauto download configuration of the electronic device, which may beindicative of a preference of user, would allow the download, and so on.As such, it should be noted that download acquisition manager 502 canalso facilitate storage of download configuration data locally on anelectronic device, or obtain automatic download configuration from aserver and/or trusted component. In any case, automatic downloadconfiguration data may be used by the download verification component510 to determine whether or not to download a digital asset. Inaddition, a download cancelation and post processing component 512 caneffectively cancel automatic downloads and perform post downloadoperations, including: (i) removing an asset that has been automaticallydownloaded, and (ii) installing an asset (e.g., an application) that hasbeen automatically downloaded. Cancelation of an automatic downloadscheduled to be performed or in the process of being performed can, forexample, be performed based on user input provided via a UI. Acancelation and/or removal of a digital asset automatically downloadedor to be automatically downloaded can be performed. For example, basedon a URL provided by a server, the URL can be used to inform the serverthat the delivery of the digital asset has been canceled. Those skilledin the art will also appreciate that an automatic download token mayalso be used to facilitate downloading of digital assets. An automaticdownload token can, for example, be passed back and forth between thedownload acquisition manager 502 and a server during notification ofavailable download or requesting download.

FIG. 6 depicts a method 600 for facilitating automatic downloading of adigital asset in accordance with another exemplary embodiment. Method600 can, for example, be used by the automatic download deliverycomponent 400 depicted in FIG. 4 . As such, method 600 can, for example,be performed by a server or one or more server components.

Referring to FIG. 6 , initially, it is determined (602) whether adigital asset has been purchased from an online store via an acquisitiondevice registered to a user. If it is determined (602) that a digitalasset has been purchased from an online store via an acquisition deviceregistered to a user, it is determined (604) whether there is at leastone other electronic device also registered to the same user. The otherrequested device can be referred to as a requested device. If it isdetermined (604) that no other electronic device has been registered tothe user, method 600 can effectively wait for a determination (602) thata digital asset has been purchased from an online store via anacquisition device registered to a user. However, if it is determined(604) that at least one electronic device other than the acquisitiondevice has been registered to the same user, it can be determined (606)whether to provide a digital asset (e.g., digital content) to theacquisition device and/or at least one other electronic deviceregistered to the user. As a result, content including indications,configurations and/or various user interfaces can be effectivelydelivered (608) to the acquisition device and/or at least one otherelectronic device registered to the user. In one embodiment, it may bedesirable to provide to solicit user interest (e.g., via the acquisitiondevice) in facilitating automatic download. In addition, if the user isinterested in an automatic download feature, an automatic download tokencan be provided to the acquisition device and/or one or more otherelectronic devices registered to the user.

Subsequently, it can be determined (610) whether automatic downloadconfiguration data is needed, Automatic download configuration data can,for example, represent preferences of a user with respect toautomatically downloading. The download configuration data can pertainto particular types of digital assets for various devices that have beenregistered to the user. Although not shown in FIG. 6 , it should benoted that authentication of the user can also be performed during theconfiguration process. In any case, if it is determined (610) thatconfiguration data is needed, the method 600 can effectively wait (612)for data to be received.

Thereafter, or in the case when it is determined (610) thatconfiguration data is available and therefore not needed to be received,download configuration data can be obtained (614) to determine (616)whether to arrange the digital asset acquired by the acquisition devicefor delivery to one or more electronic devices other than theacquisition device that has been registered to the user. If it isdetermined (616) based on the download configuration data whether thedigital asset is to be delivered to at least one electronic device otherthan the acquisition device, the digital asset is arranged (618) forautomatic download to at least one electronic device other than theacquisition device. Arranging (618) the digital asset for delivery can,for example, include determining an appropriate type, version and/orformat to be delivered to a particular electronic device, sending a pushnotification to an electronic device, storing the appropriate digitalasset in a delivery queue for delivery at an appropriate time (e.g.,when one or more network conditions are met), and/or recording automaticdownload data for a particular user and/or device. Optionally,additional operations can be performed after the digital asset has beenarranged for delivery (618).

After the digital asset has been arranged for delivery (618), method 600can determine (620) whether download is to be initiated or whether theautomatic download is to be cancelled (622) before the download isinitiated. Accordingly, an automatic download can be canceled (624)before it is initiated. When it is determined (620) that an automaticdownload is to be initiated, automatic download of the digital asset canbe facilitated (626). An automatic download can, for example, beinitiated when an electronic device initiates it and/or one or moredelivery conditions are met (e.g., network type or bandwidth isappropriate for download). It should be noted that it can be determined(628) to cancel a download after it has been facilitated (626). Inaddition, it can be determined (630) whether to end method 600. Method600 can, for example, end after the arranged automatic downloads havebeen completed or canceled, or after a determined amount of time haslapsed.

FIG. 7 depicts a method 700 for facilitating automatic downloading of adigital asset in accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment.Method 700 can, for example, be used by the automatic acquisitioncomponent 500 depicted in FIG. 5 . As such, method 600 can, for example,be performed by an electronic device in order to facilitate automaticdownload of a digital asset available for purchase from an onlineserver.

Referring to FIG. 7 , initially, it is determined (702) whether anindication (e.g., content pushed by a server) relating to an automaticdownload feature has been received. In effect, method 700 can wait toreceive an indication. The indication can, for example, pertain to aconfiguration option, U1, or availability of one or more digital assetsfor download. As such, if it is determined (702) that an indication hasbeen received, it can be determined (704) whether to process theindication and/or data associated with the indication. By way ofexample, a U1 or configuration menu can be displayed and/or possiblystored. Generally, if it is determined (704) to process data associatedwith the indication, data can be processed and possibly stored (706).

Thereafter, it can be determined (708) whether the indication isassociated with availability of a digital asset for download. If it isdetermined (708) that the indication is not associated with availabilityof digital asset for download, it can be determined (710) whether tosend a notification or acknowledgement regarding the indication receivedor possibly other data related to automatic downloading of digitalassets. Accordingly, data can be sent (712) before the method 700 ends.However, if it is determined (708) that the indication is associatedwith the availability of a digital asset for download, validity of theindication can be verified (714). By way of example, it can bedetermined (714) whether the digital asset available for automaticdownload is supported by the electronic device. If it is determined(714) that the validity of the digital asset to be downloaded is notsuccessfully verified, it can be determined (710) whether to send anotification or other data regarding the indication. Accordingly, anotification regarding the invalidity of the automatic download, acancelation request and/or other data can be sent (712) before themethod 700 ends.

On the other hand, if the validity of the download is successfullyverified (714), it can be determined (716) whether to initiatedownloading the digital asset. Accordingly, downloading of the digitalasset can be initiated (718). However, if it is determined (720) tocancel the download, download can be canceled (722) after it has beeninitiated (718). After the download has been canceled (722}, or once itis determined (724) that the download has been completed, it can bedetermined (726) to perform post processing (or post downloadprocessing). Accordingly, one or more post processing operations can beperformed (728). For example, the digital asset that has been downloadedcan be installed, added to a library, or removed. Method 700 can endafter post processing (728) has been performed or without performingpost processing if it is determined (726) not to perform postprocessing.

As noted above, automatic download configuration data (e.g., menus,dialogs, windows) can be created and provide in a customized manner. Tofurther elaborate, FIG. 8 depicts an automatic download configurationgenerator 800 in accordance with one embodiment. Automatic downloadconfiguration generator 800 can be provided at least in part by a serverassociated with an online store and/or by an electronic device operableto acquire digital assets from server devices. Referring to FIG. 8 ,various electronic devices 802 can be associated with a user 804.Devices 802 a and 802 b may, for example, be of the same type (e.g., twosmartphones, two devices capable of media playback) as opposed todevices 804 c and 804 d which can be of different types or havedifferent capabilities (e.g., a laptop computer, and a portable mediaplayer without a display). In any case, various types of digital assets806 can be available for purchase from an online store accessible to thedevices 802. Further, a digital asset (e.g., video, image, applicationprogram, etc.) may have a particular format or version supported by aparticular device. By way of example, media asset 806 a may be currentlysupported by device 802 a but not currently supported by the device 802b. In any case, the automatic download configuration generator 800 cantake digital asset types and device types into consideration andgenerate automatic configuration user interfaces 808 (e.g., 808 a and808 b) that are more appropriate for each one of the devices 802. Itshould be noted that user input and/or preferences 810 as well as othercriteria 812 (e.g., network type, connectivity and/or bandwidth) canalso be considered by the automatic download configuration generator 800in generating an automatic download configuration U1. Generally, arelatively large number of possible automatic download parameters oroptions can be made available. However, the automatic downloadconfiguration generator 800 can effectively eliminate a number ofpossible automatic download parameters or options that may not beapplicable or desired for a particular device to, for example, create amore suitable automatic download configuration user interface 808 a(e.g., configuration window) for a device 802 a, or a more suitabledownload configuration user interface 808 b (e.g., configuration window)for device 2.

To elaborate even further, FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary automaticconfiguration U1 in form of a window 900 suitable for display on variouselectronic devices. Referring to FIG. 9 , automatic download options (orswitches) for assets purchased for a fee (or acquired for free) areprovided in the window 900. It should be noted that automatic downloadoptions of window 900 can be provided based on asset types that may beapplicable to a particular electronic device. As such, “Music,” “Apps,”and “Books” can be presented as selectable options in window 900 to theuser. However, it should be noted that if an electronic device, forexample, does not have the ability to use “Apps” or “Books,” then only a“Music” option may be displayed for that electronic device.Alternatively, more media types (e.g., movies) may be disabled asselectable options if applicable. Referring to FIG. 9 , a networkautomatic download option can also be provided as a selectable option(“Cellular”) to effectively allow the user to select whether theautomatic downloads should take place via a cellular network (which mayhave a data transfer fee). If the selectable option is set to “off”,then automatic download will only occur when the electronic device isconnected to a Wi-FI connection. It should also be noted that a selectedautomatic download option can be provided to an online store server. Indoing, the user may be required to sign in to a user account via aparticular device to effectively register or submit the selectedautomatic downloads options pertaining to the electronic device. Hence,an online store server may be able to keep track of various registeredelectronic devices and their respective automatic downloads options.

Generally, when a digital asset, and in particular a media asset isacquired by purchase (for a fee or for free) from an online store usinga first electronic device associated with the user, an online storeserver can effectively put the digital asset in the queue for deliveryfor all the electronic devices registered to the user with theappropriate settings for the automatic download selected. However, thenumber of electronic devices a user can register for automatic downloadmay be limited or additional cost may be imposed beyond a determinednumber of registered devices. In any case, the online store server cansend a push notification to each device selected to receive theautomatic download. A push notification can instruct a recipientelectronic device to transparently check its delivery queue withoutrequiring explicit user input, feedback or instructions. As such, one ormore electronic devices registered to the user (possibly all devicesregistered to the user) can check their respective delivery (purchase oracquisition) queues and download the one or more digital assets via abackground process, and in particular, from the perspective of personusing the electronic device. Various rules can be defined andeffectively applied to an automatic download option or feature. Forexample, automatic downloads can be made to have lower priority thandownloads that are explicitly requested by a user, duplication ofdigital assets can be avoided, arranged downloaded can be canceled orautomatically downloaded digital assets can be removed, etc.

As noted above, automatic download configuration can be presented as oneor more selectable options or switches that can be enabled or disabled.The selectable options and switches for allowing automatic download mayinitially (or as a default option) be turned off so as not to allowautomatic download. Further, a system can be configured so that signingout of an account causes an automatic download option to be turned off,or an option may automatically get turned off after a determined periodof time, requiring a user to log back in order to turn on the automaticdownload option again.

Furthermore, current system capability, including disk space as well assize of the digital asset can be considered in determining whether toautomatically download an asset so that, for example, a digital assetover a predetermined size (e.g., 10 Megabytes (MB), 3 Gigabytes (GB))may not be automatically downloaded, and/or a digital asset may bedownloaded only if there is a predetermined amount of free space (e.g.,100 GB) is available on the electronic device. In addition, variousrestrictions, including parental controls, blocked items or sources, canbe considered in determining whether to automatically download a digitalasset to a particular device. Still further, a system can be configuredsuch that disabling an enabled automatic download option may result inimmediate removal of digital assets queued for automatic download. Otherfeatures may be configured including, resumption of interruptedautomatic downloads as a result of an electronic device gettingdisconnect or getting engaged in higher priority activities during thedownload. An electronic device that has been off for a relatively longtime (e.g., six months) can be allowed to automatically download digitalassets that have been queued for the electronic device. However, a timelimit for making an asset available for automatic download can also beeffectively imposed (e.g., six months for all assets, one month forrelatively large assets). In addition, a new or revised version of anasset can be effectively automatically downloaded if available at thetime the download takes place. In other words, an older version of anasset may be replaced in a delivery queue for automatic download so thata new or revised version can be downloaded. An informative or discoverydialog can be presented as soon as an electronic device is purchased toinform the user of availability of an automatic download feature. Asanother optional feature, explicit purchase of an asset to beautomatically downloaded would not result in downloading the assettwice.

Generally, it may be more desirable to configure an online store serverto have control or more control over some aspects of automatic downloadthan the user. For example, an online store server can determine neverto allow automatic download of an asset that is not supported by aparticular device. As an example, an iPhone™ device may be effectivelyprevented from receiving an iPad™ application. As another example,online store server can determine when various user interfaces includingdialogs and configuration windows are to be displayed. In addition, theonline store server can determine the substance and form of theconfiguration options so that future changes can be implemented withouthaving to alter numerous electronic devices that interact with theonline store server.

Furthermore, it should be noted that changes to a device or itsconfiguration can result in changes in automatic downloadedconfiguration options and behavior. By way of example, if a particulartype (or form) of digital assets (e.g., books) is no longer viable for(or supported by) an electronic device because of a change to the device(e.g., book reading/presenting application has been uninstalled) thedigital asset type (e.g., Books) would no longer be automaticallydownloaded to the device and the configuration window for the devicewould not show the digital asset type as an option for download as longas the digital asset type is not viable for (or supported by) thedevice. Alternatively, a user interface can be used to suggest orfacilitate download of a book reading application.

In view of the foregoing, it will readily be known that an electronicdevice provided in accordance with one or more embodiments can, forexample, be a computing device (e.g., personal computer), mobile phone(e.g., cellular phone), personal digital assistant (PDA), media player(e.g., music, videos, games, images), media storage device, camera,and/or the like. An electronic device may also be a multi-functionaldevice that combines two or more of these device functionalities into asingle device. A portable electronic device may support various types ofnetwork communications.

A portable electronic device can be provided as a hand-held electronicdevice. The term hand-held can generally refer to an electronic devicewith a form factor that is small enough to be comfortably held in onehand. A hand-held electronic device may be directed at one-handedoperation or two-handed operation. In one-handed operation, a singlehand is used to both support the device as well as to perform operationswith the user interface during use. In two-handed operation, one hand isused to support the device while the other hand performs operations witha user interface during use or alternatively both hands support thedevice as well as perform operations during use. In some cases, thehand-held electronic device is sized for placement into a pocket of theuser. By being pocket-sized, the user does not have to directly carrythe device and therefore the device can be taken almost anywhere theuser travels (e.g., the user is not limited by carrying a large, bulkyand often heavy device).

Digital media assets (e.g., digital media items) can, for examplepertain to video items (e.g., video files or movies), audio items (e.g.,audio files or audio tracks, such as for songs, musical albums, podcastsor audiobooks), or image items (e.g., photos). The digital media assetscan also include or be supplemented by text or multimedia files.

Additional information on digital asset delivery is provided in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/849,711, filed Sep. 4, 2007, and entitled“Digital Asset Delivery to Different Devices,” which is herebyincorporated herein by reference. The corresponding US PatentPublication 2009/0063301 A1 is also hereby incorporated herein byreference.

The various aspects, features, embodiments or implementations of theinvention described above can be used alone or in various combinations.

The invention is preferably implemented by software, hardware, or acombination of hardware and software. The invention can also be embodiedas computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The computerreadable medium is any data storage device that can store data which canthereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computerreadable medium generally include read-only memory and random-accessmemory. More specific examples of computer readable medium are tangibleand include Flash memory, EEPROM memory, memory card, CD-ROM, DVD, harddrive, magnetic tape, and optical data storage device. The computerreadable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computersystems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in adistributed fashion.

The advantages of various embodiments of the invention are numerous.Different aspects, embodiments or implementations may, but need not,yield one or more of the following advantages. One advantage of at leastsome embodiments is that a digital asset (e.g., media item) acquired byone device can be automatically delivered to other electronic deviceswithout requiring user participation beyond initial setup. Anotheradvantage at least some embodiments is that digital assets can beautomatically delivered to appropriate electronic devices. Still anotheradvantage at least some embodiments is that user preferences can beeasily set and accommodated. Yet another advantage at least someembodiments is that customized user interfaces can be provided inconsideration of various criteria, including device capabilities, userprofiles and/or user preferences.

The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparentfrom the written description. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the inventionshould not be limited to the exact construction and operation asillustrated and described. Hence, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to as falling within the scope of theinvention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: detecting, by one ormore processors, that a first digital asset has been acquired by anacquisition device associated with a first user account; arranging, bythe one or more processors, delivery of the first digital asset to theacquisition device; determining, by the one or more processors, that asecond electronic device, other than the acquisition device, isassociated with the first user account; receiving, by the one or moreprocessors, an indication of a media type that should be automaticallydownloaded to the second electronic device; determining, by the one ormore processors, whether the first digital asset corresponds to themedia type that should be automatically downloaded to the secondelectronic device or corresponds to a media type that should not beautomatically downloaded to the second electronic device; arranging, bythe one or more processors, automatic delivery of a version of the firstdigital asset to the second electronic device when the first digitalasset corresponds to the media type that should be automaticallydownloaded to the second electronic device; and preventing automaticdelivery of the version of the first digital asset to the secondelectronic device when the first digital asset corresponds to the mediatype that should not be automatically downloaded to the secondelectronic device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the arranging, bythe one or more processors, automatic delivery of the version of thefirst digital asset to the second electronic device is facilitatedwithout a user request after the first digital asset has been acquiredvia the acquisition device.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinacquisition of the first digital asset by the acquisition devicecomprises downloading the first digital asset from an online store. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein arranging automatic delivery of theversion of the first digital asset to the second electronic devicecomprises: identifying whether the version of the first digital assetcorresponds to a media type that should not be automatically downloadedto the second electronic device via a cellular connection; andpreventing automatic delivery of the version of the first digital assetto the second electronic device over the cellular connection when theversion of the first digital asset corresponds to the media type thatshould not be automatically downloaded to the second electronic devicevia the cellular connection.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein arrangingautomatic delivery of the version of the first digital asset to thesecond electronic device comprises: allowing the second electronicdevice to download the version of the first digital asset over a Wi-Ficonnection when the version of the first digital asset corresponds tothe media type that should not be automatically downloaded to the secondelectronic device via the cellular connection.
 6. The method of claim 1,comprising arranging, by the one or more processors, the automaticdelivery based at least in part upon the second electronic device andthe acquisition device both being registered to the first user account.7. The method of claim 1, wherein arranging the automatic delivery ofthe version of the first digital asset to the second electronic devicecomprises: sending, to the second electronic device, a push notificationindicative of the version of the first digital asset being available fordownload from an online repository.
 8. The method of claim 1,comprising: queuing the version of the first digital asset in a deliveryqueue for delivery to the second electronic device wherein the queuingthe version of the first digital asset comprises: prioritizing contentsof the delivery queue associated with the second electronic device suchthat digital content explicitly requested by the first user account, viathe second electronic device, is delivered to the second electronicdevice before the version of the first digital asset corresponding tothe first digital asset acquired via the acquisition device.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein arranging the automatic delivery comprises:sending an automatic download token to the second electronic device;receiving a response token from the second electronic device; validatingthe response token; and in response to validating the response token,facilitating the automatic delivery of the version of the first digitalasset to the second electronic device.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein the method further comprises: storing automatic download dataindicative of digital content to be downloaded automatically to thesecond electronic device; facilitating cancellation of automaticdownloads to the second electronic device; facilitating removal ordeletion of digital content downloaded to the second electronic device;or any combination thereof.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein themethod comprises: sending to the second electronic device, at least onepush indication indicative of availability of an automatic downloadoption.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the method comprises: sendingto the second electronic device, at least one push indicationinstructing the second electronic device to transparently check itsdelivery queue for content available for download.
 13. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the determining that the version of the first digitalasset should be automatically delivered to the second electronic deviceis dependent upon at least one of: a device number limit, availablenetwork bandwidth, a device capacity, a device capability, a userpreference, or a user input provided by a user.
 14. The method of claim1, wherein the media type that should be automatically downloaded to thesecond electronic device comprises: music, electronic books, movies,applications, or any combination thereof.
 15. A non-transitory computerreadable medium comprising computer-readable instructions that, whenexecuted by a computing device, cause the computing device to: detect,by one or more processors, that a first digital asset has been acquiredby an acquisition device; arrange, by the one or more processors,delivery of the first digital asset to the acquisition device;determine, by the one or more processors, that a second electronicdevice, other than the acquisition device is present; identify, by theone or more processors, a media type that should be automaticallydownloaded to the second electronic device; determine, by the one ormore processors, whether the first digital asset corresponds to themedia type that should be automatically downloaded to the secondelectronic device or corresponds to a media type that should not beautomatically downloaded to the second electronic device; arrange, bythe one or more processors, automatic delivery of a version of the firstdigital asset to the second electronic device when the first digitalasset corresponds to the media type that should be automaticallydownloaded to the second electronic device; and refrain from theautomatic delivery of the version of the first digital asset to thesecond electronic device when the first digital asset corresponds to themedia type that should not be automatically downloaded to the secondelectronic device.
 16. The non-transitory computer readable medium ofclaim 15, wherein the acquisition device transfers the version of thefirst digital asset directly to the second electronic device.
 17. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein theacquisition device and the second electronic device are coupled to eachother via an electronic network.
 18. The non-transitory computerreadable medium of claim 16, wherein the acquisition device transfersthe version of the first digital asset to the second electronic deviceby placing the version of the first digital asset in a queue fordelivery to the second electronic device.
 19. The non-transitorycomputer readable medium of claim 15, comprising computer-readableinstructions that, when executed by the computing device, cause thecomputing device to arrange, by the one or more processors, theautomatic delivery of the version of the first digital asset to thesecond electronic device without a user request after the first digitalasset has been acquired via the acquisition device.
 20. A system,comprising: a memory, configured to store instructions; and one or moreprocessors, configured to execute instructions stored in the memory,wherein when executed the processor performs actions comprising:detecting, by the one or more processors, that a first digital asset hasbeen acquired by an acquisition device; arranging, by the one or moreprocessors, delivery of the first digital asset to the acquisitiondevice; determining, by the one or more processors, that a secondelectronic device, other than the acquisition device, is present;receiving, by the one or more processors, an indication of a media typethat should be automatically downloaded to the second electronic device;determining, by the one or more processors, whether the first digitalasset corresponds to the media type that should be automaticallydownloaded to the second electronic device or corresponds to a mediatype that should not be automatically downloaded to the secondelectronic device; arranging, by the one or more processors, automaticdelivery of a version of the first digital asset to the secondelectronic device when the first digital asset corresponds to the mediatype that should be automatically downloaded to the second electronicdevice; and preventing automatic delivery of the version of the firstdigital asset to the second electronic device when the first digitalasset corresponds to the media type that should not be automaticallydownloaded to the second electronic device.